Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year! Enjoy these videos as we welcome in the New Year:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckeYixUWBh4&rel=1">

Eli

Is Liriano Going To Be Ready?

Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano is still recovering from arm surgery and it is unclear whether or not he will be ready for Spring Training. Liriano was 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 121 innings in 2006, and it looked like he and Johan Santana would be one of the best one-two punches in the league. However, Santana is still on the trade block and Liriano has faced several set backs and no one is sure if he will make the MLB team if he is ready. Personally, I think the Twins should be very cautious with Liriano and not rush him to get back to playing regularly. There are many examples of pitchers around the league that were rushed back from injury and have only suffered because of it. Mark Prior, Mike Hampton, to name a few. Although a trade involving Santana might be good because Liriano is no guarantee, I still do not think a trade will happen.

I’m Back: Talks Picking Up

It is nice to be back after my trip, and I am ready to get back to work. I want to thank everyone for being so patient while I was gone, and I plan to get the site back to full speed for 2008. But as of today, here is what is making news:

- Livan Hernandez is in serious talks with an unknown team, according to a source close to the player. I was not told any teams, but the teams I have been hearing include the Cardinals, Mets, Rockies, Tigers, and Mariners.

- Former Phillies pitcher Kyle Lohse is still on the market, and does not appear close to a deal. The Mets and talks with his agent have slowed, and I have heard from an unnamed source that he has had talks with the Reds, Cardinals, Mariners, Rockies, and one anonymous team, among others.

- Corey Patterson is still looking for a job, and could wind up in Chicago. Both teams are looking for an outfielder, and he would probably come at a reduced price.

- The Pirates are still interested in Michael Barrett, and are willing to depart with two low-level prospects.

- The Orioles have cooled on the idea of trading Brian Roberts, but talks with the Cubs are still ongoing. The Cubs would probably have to part with Sean Gallagher, along with Eric Patterson, and at least one other prospect, maybe two. I have heard Jake Fox’s name be mentioned, but nothing else beyond that.

- The Marlins and Rockies remain interested in Mike Maroth.

- The Mets are reportedly closing in on a one year deal with Freddy Garia.

- The Rangers are still in talks with Jason Jennings and Bartolo Colon.

- The Athletics have not had talks with either the Rockies or Mets about Joe Blanton.

- The Orioles are still shopping Kevin Millar, which would suggest that ownership is still not happy with his Fenway Park appearance.

- The Rangers are interested in Tony Clark, and seem to be the only team showing serious interest in him.

More tomorrow, Happy New Year!

Eli

Clement Prefers Closer To Home

Free agent pitcher Matt Clement was drawing a lot of interest because he would be coming at a cheap price. However, Clement has narrowed his choices to teams closer to his home in Pennsylvania. The teams that are the most obvious destinations include the Indians, Phillies, Nationals, and Pirates. Clement made over thirty starts for seven straight seasons, so he is reliable, but did not pitch in 2007. If he does stay close to home, I think he would probably choose the Pirates or Phillies, if they are interested. I know the Pirates are interested, and have heard they have made a non-guaranteed offer, but it will probably take something guaranteed. Other teams that are interested in the pitcher include the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, and Rockies.

Is Mark McGwire A Hall of Famer?

Just a week or so away from the voting for the 2008 Hall of Fame and a lot of attention falls around Mark McGwire, and if he will get in after failing to make it in his first year of eligibility. As someone who was drawn into baseball by that 1998 homerun chase, I do feel like he captivated the eyes of many, but the fact that we are still in the middle of this steroid controversy, I do not think it is his time, or should ever be his time. I am one of those people who think if you cheated, you do not deserve the recognition, even if it was before it became illegal.

It is hard not look at McGwire’s 583 career homeruns, but his .263 career average and just 1,626 hits makes him borderline at best. Yes, he did have an OBP of .394 but he combined over three hundred walks in late 1990′s that bumped that up big time. And with reporters voting, it doesn’t help that McGwire was not friendly with the media, and hurt his case even more at the Congressional Hearings.

Now some may argue that pitchers like Gaylord Perry were cheaters back in the day, but we are passed that era, and must focus on this one. I think that pitchers who used a spit ball are looked at differently than hitters. A pitcher did not throw a spit ball every pitch, while a hitter on steroids used it in every swing. You have to look at McGwire’s numbers between 1996-1999 and think wow, he hit 30 less homeruns than Roger Maris did in his whole career. Does this mean Roger Clemens is not a shoe in? Yes, at least until his case gets cleared out. I have to admit, I was a little naive in the sense that it never crossed my mind that Clemens might have used. Looking at Clemens’ numbers, it makes sense that he used. He was a .500 pitcher up till those couple years with the Blue Jays when he won the Cy Young twice. I look at him and McGwire and Bonds as different cases, so we will have to wait and see.

If Roger Maris gets into the Hall of Fame, how can someone like Andre Dawson not get in. Dawson has a .279 career average with 438 homeruns and 2,774 hits. He was a eight time All-Star, won the ROY, and the MVP, and was a fan favorite of the Cubs, and even some teams on the road. Ryne Sandberg said of Dawson that, “No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more or did it better than Andre Dawson,” Sandberg said of the “The Hawk.” Sandberg continued, “He’s the best I’ve ever seen. I watched him win an MVP for a last-place team in 1987, and it was the most unbelievable thing I’ve ever seen in baseball.” Sandberg concluded with, “He did it the right way, the natural way, and he did it in the field and on the bases and in every way, and I hope he will stand up here someday.”

I know many think differently of McGwire at this point, but I still would vote him no until all this gets sorted out. I think a lot of people deserve some recognition before their time runs out. I know Lee Smith lost some steam after his all time saves record was taken by Trevor Hoffman, but he should be recognized as being the player who revolutionized the role. And what about Tim Raines? Or Jim Rice? Leave me a comment on whether you think McGwire should be in the Hall or not, and if you want, leave a prediction for this years inductees.

Holiday Greetings: Mets Eying Pitchers

I hope everyone is still enjoying the holidays, I know I am. I’ll be coming back from Mexico on Sunday and plan to get back to regular posting. I have a lot of interviews set up for January, and plan to continue my regular radio talk show. But here is what is making news today:

- The Royals added catcher Miguel Olivio to their roster. Solid addition for the Royals considering he has killed them the past couple of years.

- The Angels are no longer interested in Scott Rolen and are preparing extensions for players Vlad Guerrero and Francisco Rodriguez.

- The Mets have had extended discussions with former Phillies pitchers Kyle Lohse and Jon Lieber. I know a lot of Mets fans have been discouraged by lack of movement from Omar Minaya, but I’m confident after talks with a Mets executives that moves are coming.

- The White Sox are looking for another bench player, according to sources. That wouldn’t be a bad addition, especially if it is a veteran, but we’ll determine if it is good or bad when they make a move.

- The Reds are waiting on the Orioles in a trade for Erik Bedard.

More details soon…

Astros Sign Darin Erstad

The Astros signed utilty man Darin Erstad to a one year contract. Erstad struggled last year with the White Sox, but a switch to the NL and a hitter friendly stadium might benefit him and the Astros.

More details soon…

Padres Sign Prior

The Padres and Mark Prior have agreed to a one year deal worth one million dollars. Clearly this deal shows that he wanted a change of scenery because he would have gotten twice that in arbitration.

More details soon…

Merry Chrstmas Special

Before I begin, I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. But in baseball, while the lull this off season is still going on, I’d like to look ahead to the 2008 off season and the issues that present themselves to the Red Sox. The Red Sox have never minded spending money to build up their team, but have preferred youth lately. Next offseason, they are faced with possibly losing Curt Schilling, Jason Varitek, and Manny Ramirez. I suspect they will bring Varitek back, just because there is not a better catcher available. Schilling will probably retire while the question to bring Manny back comes up. This is the first year Ramirez has not requested a trade in awhile, and with players like Vlad Guerrero on the market, it might be hard not to try and get him. As for other pitching, they will have Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lester, Buchholz, and a free agent or Michael Bowden. For free agents, the best pickup would be Brad Penny, who has former teammates on the team and would happily accept a new team. I think the Red Sox are in good shape for the next several years, but that does not mean they can sit tight. The Blue Jays and Rays are looking to compete and could effect the standings if you do not watch out for them. Here is what else is making news this Christman day: The Phillies continue to try and solidify their bullpen and have contacted Aki Otsuka.

Marlins Sign Castillo

The Marlins signed Jose Castillo to a one year contract, according to Marlins.com. Castillo, who had been with the Pirates, is a canidate for third base, but will probably be a bench player. Right now would be a great time to look at pitchers coming off bad years, like Bartolo Colon, just in case one of their young pitchers gets hurt again. I think they should try and trade for a third baseman like Wes Helms, or even someone younger like Mark Teahen.